Ordination is a serious matter, a commitment to God for a life of ministry. On John Stott’s 70th birthday, he reflected on the theme of ‘verses to live by’, and preached that week at All Souls from Malachi 2. The second verse of this chapter was another verse he had sought to live by. This is what he said, with the words slightly updated:
‘The best motto I can think of for anyone in Christian service is in this verse. “Lay it to heart to give glory to God’s name.” It became in a sense my motto. In Christian leadership or ministry, we should not be concerned about the glory of our own silly little name, but about the glory of the name of God.’
The verses sent to John by his Great Aunt Emily stayed with him all his life.
